Matilde Borriero, aka Matt_Rand0ms, is a multidisciplinary artist from Arco, Italy. She practises modern tattooing, traditional handpoke, and is also experimenting other body modification techniques.

We met Matilde online when we started Aswad, and we were mermerized by her focus and great approach towards traditional tattooing, specially on her work around traditional and neo-amazigh rituals.

How did you become a tattoo artist and what about the handpoke?

Well, I never considered the tattooer career before the moment I actually find myself into “the game”. I started just for curiosity on myself and my friends with handpoke techniques and the more I poked the more I enjoyed it. Handpoke is what let me really feel the skin of a person and that kinda feels like I’m breaking their shells and “touching” an uncovered part of them. Of course I follow many artists but I never focus on a single one. What I’m trying to do is mixing ancient cultures and new concepts so I just try to take inspiration from all of them and play with the variety of shapes and structures.

What has inspired your tattoo career?

I’ve always found tattoos a great way to express ourselves and I kinda focused on that single thing trying to express myself through my tattoo designs. Of course I follow many artists but I never focus on a single one. What I’m trying to do is mixing ancient cultures and new concepts so I just try to take inspiration from all of them and play with the variety of shapes and structures.

How did you discovered amazigh tattooing?

I can’t remember the first time I saw a berber tattoo, maybe it was surfing the internet, but I started loving them after seeing some handpokers do this and bought some books to understand the culture behind them. Since then I fell in love.

What is, in your opinion, the meaning behind wearing an amazigh tattoo in 2019?

There is a division to do between “cultural” amazigh tattoos and “fashion” on my opinion. Nothing bad, I mean I would love those designs on me too! Just different concept of tattooing: who is wearing an original amazigh tattoo is carrying a culture, a real meaning and real amulets. On the other hand, who is wearing an amazigh for his design is carrying a piece of art that could bring people closer to this culture.

In North African countries, a new generation have a strong hunger for reviving traditional tattoo. What would be your advice for them?

Be proud of your Amazigh and wear them like your favorite shirt, because it’s part of you like your eye color. There’s nothing wrong with your culture. Who could say it’s inappropriate?